Techish

HOW TO: Get help fast if you can’t pay your bills

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*Note: this story originally ran in USA Today* Like so many people in America right now, 26-year old San Francisco resident, Shawna McCune doesn't know how she’s going to pay her bills come May 1st. The single-mom of a five-year-old son was furloughed from her job as an afterschool kindergarten teacher the same day the city announced it’s extending shelter-in-place orders for another month. “I’m super anxious and very overwhelmed,” she told me over the phone. “I’m one of those people, I try to think positively, I try not to freak out, but I am definitely really, really worried and stressed.”  McCune’s biggest concern is paying rent. She shares a small two-bedroom apartment with ... Read more

The 10 Best ‘Thank You Videos for Coronavirus helpers everywhere!

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If you haven't done it yet, we challenge you to take time out from binge-watching Tiger King and searching for quarantini memes, to thank someone. Whether it's a healthcare worker, grocery store clerk, or your own family for not totally losing it, gratitude goes a long way during a pandemic. Expressing it goes even further, and now more than ever, it's important not to take all of these amazing humans for granted. Let these “Thank You Coronavirus Helpers” videos we pulled from YouTube provide some inspiration and serve as a sweet reminder to keep looking for someone who could use a little boost right about now. From songs to applause to celebrity tributes, these “Thank You” ... Read more

This handy tool will tell you exactly when to sell your smartphone

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Summer is winding down, and that means only one thing: It's time for all the shiny new flagship smartphones to hit shelves and drain our pockets. Now you have to sell your "old" phone, but when do you sell it to get the biggest return? We've got just the tool. As part of musicMagpie's Annual Phone Depreciation Report 2019, the site crunched the numbers on trade-in values and how they change over time, with clear peaks and valleys that show when phones tend to be the most valuable on the secondhand market. All you have to do is type in your phone's make and model — like "iPhone 8 Plus" — and check out the trends. Nobody can predict the future, but this might be the next best thing. ... Read more

The ‘90s called – this company might pay you $1,000 to use a flip phone for a week!

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In honor of the 30-year anniversary of the first ever flip phone (hey, Motorola), FrontierBundles.com is looking for one brave soul to use a flip phone for a week in exchange for $1,000. This could be a dream job for the '90s fanatic who wants to kick it all old-school like or even a fascinating social experiment for a curious tech junkie. Either way, we anticipate this will be quite the challenge given our reliance on smart technology. I mean, can you even imagine finding a new address without Google Maps?! You can find the application form and all other relevant information you need here: https://www.frontierbundles.com/blog/pay-1k-flip-phone-challenge Here’s a summary of the ... Read more

Can you go a year without your smartphone for $100,000?

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New year, no phone? Cutting down on screen time likely tops many New Year’s resolutions lists, but do you think you could go a full year without a smartphone? It's a massive challenge, but you might have a real reason to consider doing so.  How does $100,000 sound? Would that be enough incentive to stop the mindless scrolling? That's how much beverage brand Vitaminwater is offering one lucky Luddite to go completely smartphone-free in 2019. Obviously you'll need to meet some criteria first, which is why they're asking you to share why you'd be a good candidate for the challenge in a post on social media. You'll need to post your plea on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtags ... Read more

Have an iPhone? Make sure you know this trick for finding apps, settings, EVERYTHING!

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There are so many little tips and tricks for fast use of the iPhone, many of us forget that not everyone knows them (ahem, I'm talking you husband of mine...). Here's a real gem called "Swipe to Search" Want to find an app, contact, old text, something in your settings, or really anything on your iPhone? Swipe down, and type whatever it is you're searching for in the Search bar. Here's how Apple tells (and shows) you how to it: (wait for it...) Trying to find a contact, email, or nearby restaurant? Quickly find what you’re looking for from the Home screen on your device. Swipe down from the middle of the Home screen. Tap the Search field, then enter what you're looking ... Read more

AS SEEN ON: Atlanta Tech Edge (NBC) In Case You Missed It (With Links To All Gadgets)

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In case you missed it, here's everything Jenn and Cara talked about on Atlanta Tech Edge: Top Tech-Life Hacks for Busy Families – Tested Save time, money, and sanity with some simple yet — genius — tips, tricks and quick-y hacks to solve all kinds of everyday issues around school, family, and even college concerns. Jennifer asked 1,000 parents for their best hacks to save money and reduce stress for throughout the school year. Here's what they said: #1. Slash costs of new gadgets: Don’t feel like you have to get the $1,000 gadget when $100 will do. Grab a great deal like this $124 8-inch Huawei MediaPad T3 tablet. What one mom said she liked about it  - aside from the price - ... Read more

Plugged-In Families: How to Create Healthier Tech Habits

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Today's kids are totally connected — to surfing, scrolling, snapping, gaming and ‘gramming. According to new Pew Reseach, 95% of teens have access to a smartphone and 45% say they are online 'almost constantly.’  Stats like those give way to rising concern over the addictiveness of constantly checking for social media updates, watching videos and playing games. Some studies tie extended screen time to distraction in classrooms, symptoms of ADHA, sleep deprivation and depression. But what we’ve learned as digital parenting evolves is that the challenge is less about how much screen time our kids have and more about the quality of time they spend online. Research also shows that when you ... Read more

Going, Going, Gone? Can the Oculus Go VR Headset really hit a home run?

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No matter how excited I get with VR -- peering over the edge of a skyscraper, staring a T-Rex in the eye, or swimming with Blue whales -- the emerging tech still hasn't reached its stride. That might all change very soon with the arrival of the much-anticipated Oculus Go. This new headset, which went on sale Tuesday, strikes a serious sweet-spot. It costs just $200. It has no cables. It’s easy to use. It works for iPhone people and Android people, Mac people and PC people. It's like the Switzerland of new gadgets. And as other reviewers point out, it’s for more than just playing games. Call it Oculus and chill: The Go lets you curl up and watch TV virtually along with a faraway friend. ... Read more

JENN’S LIST: Best Gadgets of Spring 2018

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Spring has sprung, and now that the last remnants of winter have melted away it's time start 2018 for real. We're only four months into the year, but there are already some awesome new gadget trends starting to emerge. Oculus Go ($199) Oculus got off to a bit of a slow start with the Rift virtual reality headset, but it's hoping to make up a whole lot of ground with the all-new Oculus Go, a wireless VR gadget that you can take anywhere. It's an entirely standalone VR experience, meaning no messy wires and you don't need a pricey computer to attach it to, and at $199 it's a whole lot cheaper than most of the other virtual reality headsets out there. Developers have already been ... Read more

Think Twice Before Putting These 5 Things on Your Credit Card

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By Ismat Mangla While you can use a credit card to pay for just about anything, that doesn’t mean you should. Here are five purchases to keep away from the plastic, no matter how tempting those rewards points might be: 1. Your Taxes It’s tax season, and if you owe Uncle Sam money, you may be tempted to stick the bill on your Visa or Mastercard and call it a day. Resist the urge. Sure, it’s perfectly legal, but the IRS will charge you merchant processing fees for the transaction, typically anywhere between 1.8% and 2%. If you use third-party software to file your taxes, you’ll likely pay even more. What’s more, you don’t want to incur interest charges on your tax bill, which can ... Read more

High Tech Flu Fighters!

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFVvd74nxlM NOTE: An edited version of this story originally ran in USA Today print and online: 2/19/18. Can the latest gadgets and apps help save us from this year’s killer flu? As one of the worst influenza outbreaks on record sweeps across America like a deadly virus from the movie Outbreak, that’s a question hundreds of scientists, inventors, and health officials are working feverishly to answer. While a handful of futuristic fixes are most certainly in the works — like a flu breathalyzer, far UVC flu-bug zapping light, and next-gen take home lab in a box — they’re not available yet. The good news? There are still a handful of high-tech flu-fighters ... Read more

GIFT GUIDE: These Valentine gifts will make him crazy happy!

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  1. Samsung Gear Sport Watch (Around $250) 2. HyperIce Vyper 2.0 Speed Vibrating Foam Roller for Muscles ($199): This is no wimpy massager. It's made tough enough for men, to work all the knots out for good! 3. IN1 Tool Black Phone Case Blue Tools (Around $10) 4. Arcade Classics - Pac-Man Retro Mini Arcade Game (Around $20) 5. Groove Ring ($30): I love these rings! Active people know that they can't perform if their gear doesn't keep them safe. Rock-climbers, riders, doctors, you name it, anyone who uses their hands a lot, wears these all the freaking time. Groove rings offer a soft and supple outer band. No metal. 6. DJI Mavic Air ($799): If you really love him, this ... Read more

GIFT GUIDE: Last minute gifts for WOMEN that she’ll love!

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If you like her, get her this. There's still time. Mostly. Well, okay, a photo with a nice card that it's on it's way at least. The app Giftagram can land an awesome present in her lap within a few quick minutes. You're welcome. Quick links to everything below! 1. Gorgeous Jewelry! (Starts at $78): Recycled Computer Parts! Dell and Nikki Reed created this beautiful new jewelry collection, dubbed “The Circular Collection” as part of their Legacy of Good Program. The artist used gold from recycled computer motherboards to create a beautiful jewelry collection that includes earrings, rings and cufflinks. The pricing for the jewelry line ranges from $78.00 to $348.00 and is available to ... Read more

HOW TO: Kick your smartphone addiction. It doesn’t even hurt.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN3A8jnRV6A THIS STORY ORIGINALLY WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED FOR USA Today AND USATODAY.COM: My 16-year old daughter is infinitely better at all things tech than I am. Even disconnecting from it. While I was on a work trip last week, she created a "no-phone zone." When she comes home from track practice, she switches her phone into "do not disturb" mode, and sticks it in a drawer right by the front door. Out of sight, out of mind, for pretty much the entire school night from now on, she told me, and it’s already working wonders. She said it’s helped her concentrate on her homework more, focus on what she needs to get done every night, and best of all, ... Read more